Hippo Attacks Wildlife Photographers in Botswana

Hippo Attacks Wildlife Photographers in Botswana Wildlife photographers Bill and Linda Klipp of Key West Fl. had a violent encounter with a Hippo, one of Africa’s fiercest animals, while on a month-long photographic safari in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Fortunately, no people or animals were injured in this surprising incident. It was shortly after lunch on an all-day game drive in Botswana’s Okavango Delta when we stopped at a small natural water hole to photograph a lone Hippo doing what Hippos do, lounging in the water, snorting, staring at us, twitching his ears, rolling over, rising up and down with an occasional yawn and short rushes through the water. We speculated that he was kicked out of the larger nearby pod due to bad behavior, and boy was that right. After a short time watching the Hippo from our safari vehicle, he suddenly took issue with our presence in his territory and charged us. It’s not unusual for Elephants and Hippos to make false or mock charges, demonstrating who is the boss or to protect their territory. While we were expecting a short mock charge this was not the case, he came rapidly at us through the water and within seconds was out of the water rushing towards our car. When photographing wildlife, the vehicle it is usually turned off to avoid the shake of the engine. As the Hippo got closer our guide started the car, revved the engine, and attempted to go in reverse. It was too late; he rose up, mouth wide open then clamped down on the front passenger side door, preventing the car from moving and us from escaping. Hippos can open their mouth 150 degrees stretching up to 4 feet and as he bit down on the front passenger side door multiple times his upper canines started to splinter the wooden frame on the door, while his lower incisors and canines ripped a gash in the door. The impact bent and dented the door, fender, windscreen frame and mirror making the door and windscreen inoperable. Our guide kept revving the engine while reversing and after the Hippo’s third bite on the door he finally let go and backed off retreating towards the water as we zoomed away in reverse. Luckily, only the vehicle was injured and remained operable for our escape. I was sitting less 3-4 feet away in the seat behind the impact, firing away capturing 49 frames of the action with my wide-angle lens while my wife Linda was behind me shooting video on her iPhone. Upon review of the images, it appears the Hippo might have been blind in one eye and maybe thought we were another Hippo trying to attack him, as he might have experienced in the past. You always hear about how powerful a Hippo can be, but one really doesn’t have a clue until a 7,000-10,000 pound animal crashes into and attacks your car. I have always told Linda when the shit hits the fan just keep shooting. What an exhilarating event to experience and we are thankful to be around to share. We just love being on Safari and can’t wait to see what happens next. Sept 2023 Join our Facebook Group “ @Photographic Wanderings“ for more of our wildlife and travel photography This video is exclusively managed by T&T Creative Media. For licensing / permission to use please contact licensing@ . . Video and Photos by: Bill & Linda Klipp Check out our online Photo Website at: ©All Contents All Rights Reserved Bill Klipp